To support Training & Curriculum Specialists in their role as trainers and coaches for staff in their programs, the Virtual Lab School has been reviewing and updating the Training & Curriculum Specialist (T&CS) track of the foundational courses. Physical Development, Learning Environments, and Social & Emotional Development are the latest foundational courses to be updated. These revisions include new content, updated resources, and online fillable program tools and reflective activities. Some highlights include:

• New content in Physical Development, Lesson 4, discusses ways to help support physical activity throughout your program and community and includes a new Apply activity entitled Promoting Active Lifestyles for All that provides a list of resources to help promote active lifestyles.
• Utilizing Environments for Learning, a new Explore activity, has been added to Learning Environments, Lesson 1. This resource is an observational tool to help staff identify how their environment supports learning.
• A new Apply activity entitled Social-Emotional Development: Infant to School-Age has been added to Social & Emotional Development, Lesson 2. This guide is based on the updated CDC’s Developmental Milestones and highlights some of the typical social- emotional skills that develop across childhood.

As the VLS team continues to review, revise, and enhance the Foundational Courses in the Training & Curriculum Specialist track, be on the lookout for additional course updates coming soon.